Cinque Terra Day 2-19 Oct 06

On the 2nd day we took a train to Riomaggiore then hiked 5 hours on the Cinque Terra trail back to Vernazza. The sights on the trail and the Mediterranean Sea are beautiful! Rick & Penny.

Just off the train from Vernazza to Riomaggiore Huge mural of the building of the trail Mural on retaing wall at Riomaggiore train station Hillside flowers with wheelbarrow Trattoria sign in Riomaggiore Official entrance to southern trail to hike the Cinque Terra First part of the trail Beautiful Mediterranean water First part of the trail Mediterranean from the trail Penelope's personal trail marker Penelope's trail ! Cacti & succulents along trail to Manarola Turbulent blue on the rocks Weathered rock texture Repetition of rock fractures Native plants growing from the cliff face Natural photo etching-the barbs are smooth Natural photo etching-different species Natural photo etching-3rd species Photo etched and real spines Unusual small succulent Small succulent detail Rock texture closeup Striated fractures into the blue Green succulents on orange rocks Plants on cliff rocks The trail approaches Manarola Surf on rocks and man-made wall Tree overhanging cliff Graffiti hall next to plant preserve Graffiti hall perspective Inside Graffiti hall Graffiti 1 Graffiti 2 Graffiti 3 Graffiti 4 Plants in the nature preserve 1 Plants in the nature preserve 2 Approaching Manarola Burned trees on large retaining wall next to railway in Manarola. Manarola terraced vinyards Manarola texture 1 Manarola texture 2 Manarola old iron gate Manarola looking up from the town plaza Manarola looking down from the town plaza Busy Manarola street Old woman buying flowers Flowers in the open market in Manarola Manarola window detail 1 Colorful balconies in Manarola Plants on Manarola plaza Planter box on Manarola trattatoria Manarola baker-the best potato focaccia on our trip! Back on the trail from Manarola to Corniglia Just leaving manarola Boats on trail from Manarola Winding trail from Manarola Looking back at Manarola 1 Looking back at manarola 2 Manarola hillside Boat launch just of trail from Manarola Manarola trail rock texture On the trail looking toward Corniglia A long look back at Manarola The steep trail to Corniglia Corniglia a ways off Lookin down on the Mediterranean Caves in the rocks Trail to Corniglia Trail flowers closeup More trail flowers. These shrubs were in bloom throughout the region. Large arched retaining wall near Corniglia Penny amidst blooms near Corniglia The switchbacks to Corniglia begin. I dubbed these "The switchbacks from Hell!" The switchbacks to Corniglia continue The switchbacks from hell contiue Manarola from the switchbacks to Corniglia The switchbacks to Corniglia nearing the top Looking down on switchbacks to the railway station at Corniglia The switchbacks to Corniglia another look down Red white trail marker to Vernazza The trail begins from Corniglia to Vernazza Terraced vinyards just past Corniglia Terraced vinyard next to the trail Old stone bridge on the trail Penny on the old stone bridge The trail goes ever upward Old olive grove along trail to Vernazza Steep stepped trail through the olive grove Old stone trail and wall Penny on the trail to Vernazza Dirt part of the trail in the old olive grove. More stone steps on the trail to Vernazza Tough hiking ever upward Beautiful coast from trail heights Turbulent currents create beautiful colors Corniglia from the trail heights More beautiful coastal Mediterranean Coastal cliffs from the trail heights Rick, Penny & Mary above Corniglia Cinque Terra coast from trail looking toward Vernazza Trail marker guides un onward Old wood stairs and rail on trail to Vernazza Resting at the stop of the cats The alpha male at the stop of the cats Almost to the summit between Corniglian & Vernazza Corniglia from the trail summit Groomed orchards & vinyards from trail summit Groomed orchard & vinyards closeup Penny at the summit Rick at the summit Trail through the village of Prevo Hiking toward Vernazza Nets used to harvest olives The descent to Vernazza starts Coastal view back towards Corniglia Montorossa in the distance Switchbacks descending toward Vernazza The rocky trail downward Remnants of rock construction on the trail Glimpse off trail 1 Glimpse off trail 2 Glimpse off trail 3 Glimpse off trail 4 Steep rock switchback steps near Vernazza First view of Vernazza Vernazza from the trail Vernazza from the trail 2 Tubs with herbs entering Vernazza Vernazza from the trail 3 The train station and street to our apartment from the trail Vernazza from the trail 4 Vernazza and the coast toward Montorossa terraced hills around Vernazza A garden gate from the trail The Blue Marlin Cafe on main street from the trail A colorful private alley on the trail down The trail goes right through Vernazza toward the plaza